Advertisement

Train deal scrapped

The government has scrapped plans to award the West Coast Main Line rail franchise to FirstGroup because of technical flaws. It means the bidding process for the major rail route in the North-West wil be re-opened.

Branson's legal challenge 'revealed flaws' in franchise system

Speaking to ITV News, the Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin MP admits if it had not been for Richard Branson's legal challenge the flaws in Britain's rail franchise system may never have come to light.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin MP Credit: Press Association

He said: "If the legal challenge had not been mounted we might not have found these out, that's true."